State PKR urges Abg Jo to affirm stand on hudud
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg is urged to make a public affirmation of the stand made by his predecessor on hudud.
In making the call was chairman of the state PKR, Baru Bian, who said Abang Johari had on several occasions said the cabinet was essentially still ‘ Team Adenan’ but with a new captain.
“It would therefore, be comforting if he could state the state government’s stand ( on hudud) has not changed.
“This would be in keeping with the late chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s legacy of speaking up for the rights of Sarawak and Sarawakians,” he told a press conference at state PKR office here yesterday.
He said Adenan had repeatedly stated that Sarawak BN was against hudud law and had on Nov 23 last year instructed BN MPs in Sarawak to be united in voting against it.
He said Abang Johari had also made it clear on Sept 19 last year, when he was deputy chief minister, that Sarawak opposed the Hudud Bill, supporting Adenan’s statement on June 5 that PBB would not support the Bill and that hudud would never be practised in Sarawak.
Baru, who is also Ba Kelalan assemblyman, said the chief minister must make a clear statement on the stand of state BN component parties in his capacity as the team leader since two BN MPs Tan Sri William Mawan and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing had said they would not vote against Hadi’s Bill, which is expected to be debated at the coming parliamentary session starting March 6.
He said Sarawakians wanted a clear and unequivocal statement from the chief minister on hudud law.
“We want all our Sarawakian MPs and assemblymen to stand as one on the hudud issue.
“The stand taken my our MPs will be the litmus test of their sincerity in protecting our rights, which in this case, will have wider impact on the country.
“To defend Sarawak’s right on this fundamental issue is also to ultimately ensure the integrity of Malaysia as a secular state,” he said.
Baru said he had made several statements last year on PKR Sarawak’s reason for opposing hudud law, including the fact that it would create two criminal law systems in the country.
He said of crucial importance was the fact that Sarawak only agreed to the formation of Malaysia.
“For me and for us in Sarawak PKR, our stand is consistent from the beginning. We are against hudud law,” he said.
On the report that appeared in a national daily which stated that PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Ismail had expressed her support to the Bill, Baru said the report was incorrect.
He said the national leaders were waiting for explanation from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak before deciding on their next move.
“I don’t think they are supporting the Bill now. But I know from our whatsapp group
The stand taken my our MPs will be the litmus test of their sincerity in protecting our rights, which in this case, will have wider impact on the country. Baru Bian, state PKR chairman
that they are waiting for an explanation from the prime minister.
“Should the national PKR leaders decide to support the Bill, then they are going against the decision of the state leaders,” he said.
Baru, however, said all Sarawakian MPs and leaders, not withstanding their political alienation, must stand together and oppose the bill for the unity of Sarawakians.